One week left to register for ‘Farming by Satellite’ Prize

CLAAS is actively promoting innovation and sustainability in agriculture and supporting the Euros 13,000 Farming by Satellite Prize. Students and young farmers in Europe and Africa have just one week to register their details for a major competition about how using satellite technology in agriculture can improve production, efficiency, and reduce environmental impact.

Organisers say that so far 18 countries are represented and they want more! Total cash prizes of €13,000 are on offer in the ‘Farming by Satellite Prize’ for the best success stories or new ideas submitted by 15 December 2016. But as a first step, all entrants must register their details by the 30 October deadline at the prize website: www.farmingbysatellite.eu.

The prize is an initiative of the European GNSS Agency and the European Environment Agency. It is sponsored by CLAAS and Bayer CropScience.

The aim of the competition is to promote the use of satellite navigation in agriculture and its benefits to end users. Entrants must be under the age of 32 and can take part as individuals or as a team. They can submit case studies of trials, or new ideas and innovations, particularly those relying upon European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), the forthcoming GALILEO system and COPERNICUS (the European Earth Observation Programme).

Gian-Gherardo Calini, Head of Market Development at the GSA says: “We are looking for imaginative solutions that employ ‘free’ satellite technology that can help all the world’s farmers. We anticipate entries from commercial teams as well as students of agriculture, horticulture and life sciences. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people to get great exposure for their ideas with leading companies and academics, the prize has led to employment opportunities for previous winners and shortlisted teams.”

CLAAS introduces the new CORIO and CORIO CONSPEED maize pickers

The key to a successful maize and sunflower harvest with minimal wastage lies in high productivity and gentle handling of the crop. The new models in the CLAAS range of CORIO and CORIO CONSPEED maize pickers deliver an optimum mix of exactly these qualities.

All machines in the CORIO model series feature a very flat working angle, an innovative bonnet structure to protect the plants, and different picking roller designs for maximum performance in all harvesting conditions.

Flat working angle minimises maize ear losses

The new CLAAS maize picker models are deliberately designed with a very flat working angle of 17°. This effectively minimises maize ear wastage, particularly through the so-called “ear jumping” problem. The flat working position also delivers consistently high performance in laid maize crops. Both model series are mechanically driven via two bevel gears and a universal drive shaft, ensuring efficient power transmission with low maintenance input.

Special bonnet shape for gentle crop handling

All the new CORIO and CORIO CONSPEED models have a specially shaped bonnet featuring a very narrow tip and streamlined sides. This delays contact with the maize stem, and ensures ultra-gentle handling of the plants as the operation proceeds. As a result, there is no premature severing of the maize ears, and grain losses are kept to an absolute minimum. The distinctive bonnet shape is also ideal for laid maize, and successfully boosts productivity.

New opening mechanism for outstanding ease of maintenance

The new bonnet design also makes the mechanical components easier to clean and maintain in all these models. A specially developed opening mechanism allows all bonnets to be folded upwards by almost 90°, with just a few simple hand movements, and no tools required. This provides an easy and convenient way to tension or change the feed chains, or to realign them for the sunflower harvest, for example.

Flat working angle (17°) of the new CLAAS maize picker models, here CORIO

Safe on the road, thanks to new folding mechanism

All the foldable models of the new CORIO range also have a unique new folding mechanism, bringing them down to extremely compact dimensions. The distance to the front is reduced by 80 centimetres, giving the driver unimpeded visibility, for maximum safety on the road. The machine is easily and conveniently folded up from the driver’s cab, with no need for any additional tools.

Linear and conical picking rollers for all harvesting conditions

All CORIO models are fitted with linear picking rollers, which pick the ears with minimal damage in virtually any harvesting conditions, with only small amounts of stem material transferred into the combine harvester. Each roller has four bolted-on, individually adjustable knives and new snapping plates, ensuring optimum crop handling during the harvesting process.

The new CORIO CONSPEED maize pickers have conical picking rollers. The roller diameter increases from front to rear, ensuring gentle feed of the maize plants even at higher driving speeds, with rotation speeds then building up only gradually. This allows high throughput in dry crop conditions in particular, and therefore maximum productivity, since the gentle inward feed operation prevents unnecessary ear wastage and breakage damage, as well as unwanted plant material entering the machine by plants being ripped out.

Along with the standard rollers, all CORIO CONSPEED models are also available with hybrid rollers. These operate with a combination of aggressive knives and gently engaging rollers, resulting in an aggressive infeed process ideal for use in crop material that is still very green and moist.

Wide choice of working widths and row widths

CORIO maize pickers are available as 4, 5, 6 and 8 row variants, and CORIO CONSPEED models as 6, 8 or 12-row machines. Both picking systems are also offered with row widths of 90, 80, 75 and 70 centimetres. All models in the new CORIO model series will be available for the 2017 harvest.

New equipment options for the CARGOS 700 forage transport wagon

Along with the existing equipment, the new CARGOS 760, 750 and 740 models will have additional features including a Comfort hydraulics system with direct operator control, a loading bay cover, and an enhanced lighting package. In addition, the control of all functions will be fully ISOBUS-compatible, with the possibility of mobile control from a tablet via the EASY on Board app.

Pushbutton hydraulics control

In the new CARGOS 700 models with load-sensing technology, the Comfort hydraulics system allows direct control of all wagon functions at the push of a button. The vehicle can be operated with any ISOBUS-compatible terminal, and even from a tablet, via the EASY on Board app. All key functions can also be assigned to the tractor function keys, allowing ultra-convenient operation, with the tractor joystick, for example.

The right articulated drawbar position for every step in the process

All models in the CARGOS 700 Comfort range are fitted with a hydraulic articulated drawbar. This allows optimum alignment of the transport wagon during all the essential steps in the processes, such as road transport, initial chopping, unloading and operation alongside a forage harvesting machine. A total of four positions can be saved on the terminal, so that the drawbar will automatically move into the required setting as soon as the driver selects the relevant menu.

CARGOS 750

Electrohydraulic steering system for maximum ease and comfort of operation

To make the driver’s job even easier, thanks to the Comfort hydraulics system, the electrohydraulic positive steering feature will also be available in CARGOS 700 machines. A steering angle sensor on the drawbar measures the steering angle and activates the hydraulic steering axles accordingly. The system operates with dynamic steering line adjustment, providing the ideal compromise between manoeuvrability and stability in every working situation. Using the settings menu, the driver can adjust the steering sensitivity or decide to control some functions manually. This includes the crab steering function, to avoid damage to the ground in moist working conditions, for example, or enabling the machine to drive right up to the silo edge when unloading. All CARGOS 700 Comfort models can also be fitted with the proven self-steering system.

Ample lighting in dark conditions

Equipment in the Comfort models also includes an enhanced lighting package. A total of eleven optional LED lights are easily operated from the terminal, for comprehensive lighting of the working area in all situations. The driver can save individual lighting scenarios for specific operations, for road transport and unloading, for example. These can then be activated at the push of a button.

Ultra-convenient loading bay cover

Safe transport on the road, even with a fully loaded wagon, is now ensured in all CARGOS 700 models with a hydraulically operated loading bay cover, with either standard or Comfort hydraulics. The two sections of the cover fold out over the wagon from left and right, keeping the load secure at all times.

The new CARGOS 700 Comfort models are as strong and sturdy as their standard CARGOS 700 counterparts, and are available with loading volumes of 48.5 m³, 42.5 m³ and 36.5 m³. Additional extensions can be used to boost these figures by 2.5 m³ in each case. The forage transport wagon can also be fitted with two proportioning rollers as optional equipment.

Versatile range of tyre and chassis variants

As with all CARGOS models, there is a wide choice of tyres and chassis. The tyre selection is even more extensive than before, with profiles for every operational requirement, and tyre sizes between 22.5” and 30.5”. The modular chassis is available either with a tandem axle (18 or 20 t permissible axle load) or with a tridem axle (27 or 30 t permissible load). All chassis have either mechanical suspension or hydraulic compensation, with hydraulic suspension as optional equipment.